Cork finalists for National Lottery Local Heroes awards are announced

The Crann Centre in Cork city and the Cork Nature Network are among the finalists from the Rebel County who will be vying with similar groups the country for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards which are to be presented at the National Finals at a gala event in October. 

Offering lifelong support to people of all ages who are living with congenital, progressive or acquired neuro-physical disabilities,  the Crann Centre has been named as Cork's representative in the Health and Wellbeing category.

The Cork Nature Network, an organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting Ireland's wildlife through education, conservation and research is the county's flag bearer in the Heritage competition. 

Six organisations from throughout Cork were named as county finalists in the competition and they are among 146 organisations across the country who will be hoping to be revealed as national winners at the National Finals which will take place on October 18 in the Killashee Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare.   

The other Cork organisations to be selected as finalists are Rebel Wheelers in the sport category, Duhallow Community Food Services in the Community section, the Kabin Studio in the Arts and Culture category and the Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism on the Youth shortlist. 

National Lottery chief executive Cian Murphy said that each of the County finalists was "a shining example of the meaningful and lasting impact that projects, clubs and individuals have on communities across Ireland". 

"These awards were created to honour the positive impact that Ireland’s Good Causes have in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for all, and to ensure their efforts are recognised and celebrated on a national stage. "

Since 1987, more than €6.5bn has been raised for Good Causes. In 2024 alone, €239.3 million was raised for Good Causes in communities all across Ireland.”

The MC for October's event will be Marty Whelan once again and he said that everyone was "inspired by the incredible work and stories behind our Good Causes beneficiaries".

The total prize fund available on the night of the Good Causes Awards ceremony is €100,000, whereby each of the seven category winners will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will take home an additional €25,000. 

A special category, ‘Hero of the Year’, will be announced on the awards night in recognition of outstanding work, the recipient will receive a prize of €5,000. In addition, each of the 35 National Finalists announced later in the summer. will receive a cheque for €1,000.